Time to put this rumor to rest - Tier level requirement changes to C&A

[mommabean]

That's essentially how it's done on HAL. You get one "cruise day credit" for every day you sail. Their tier breaks are at 30 days, 75 days, and 200 days. You get double credits for suites, and an extra credit for every $300 you spend while on board.

 

That's the only part I'm not so sure I agree with. I don't know if it's such a good idea to basically allow people to buy into their level. Of course I realize it's a way to maybe make some people spend on the ship. They do limit the amount of credits that can be bought with on board spending though...I think. Isn't it something like $600 a day for 2 extra cruise credits a day?

 

Gina

[booze brothers]

So if they change the number of cruises to reach D+, us Diamonds will be left out in the cold again!:(:(:(

 

Well, we sure can't have that happen Patty !:rolleyes:

[orville99]

That's the only part I'm not so sure I agree with. I don't know if it's such a good idea to basically allow people to buy into their level. Of course I realize it's a way to maybe make some people spend on the ship. They do limit the amount of credits that can be bought with on board spending though...I think. Isn't it something like $600 a day for 2 extra cruise credits a day?

 

Gina

 

 

It's currently capped at one bonus day for each day sailed, and is calculated on the total of all on-board accounts for the cabin.

[Don Pedro]

What she didn't mention in the article which I know will be part of the restructuring is that cruise credits will be based on days sailed. So the days of fattening your cruise credit totals with 3-4 day cruises on Majesty and Monarch for instance will soon be coming to an end. And to be honest I think that change is long overdue. Why should someone who sails an 11 night cruise receive the same amount of credit as someone who sailed a three night cruise. It never made any sense to me.

 

We agree! We don't have any inside information but what we anticipate is that -

1. Everyone will be grandfathered in their present status. No one will be demoted.

 

2. A new tier called Diamond Royal or Diamond Elite will be created. Probably at what is now 50 cruise points.

 

3. Computation will change from cruises to cruise days. Double points will be given for full suites. Juniors Suites will get 1 1/2 points. Solo cruises paying the full rate will get double points.

 

4. The new criteria will be Platinum 35 points, Diamond 84 points, Diamond Plus 175 points and Diamond Royal 350 points. Looking at this criteria in seven day cruises Platinum would require 5 seven day cruises, Diamond 12, Diamond Plus 25 and Diamond Royal 50.

 

4. All future advancement will be made under the new criteria. Cruisers who gained Diamond status based on 10 three-day cruises, would be grandfathered as Diamonds, but would only have 30 points. A long way from the 175 required for Diamond Plus.

 

Again we don't have any inside information but think this would be fair plan.

[Jumbiecruiser]

I was told by the LA on my last cruise that those doing the three and four night cruises would not receive the same credits as those doing the longer cruises. I was also told that those booking the higher accommodations and spending more on board would also be rewarded and Betsy made a comment alluding to that in her statement. All of this is good. Those that spend the money should be the ones rewarded.

[demibrown]

Royal Caribbean's website now has the new C&A Perks posted. I'm hoping that it's retroactive so I can combine my nextcruise and balcony/suite upgrade perks on my upcoming cruise!!!:p

[mommabean]

Royal Caribbean's website now has the new C&A Perks posted. I'm hoping that it's retroactive so I can combine my nextcruise and balcony/suite upgrade perks on my upcoming cruise!!!:p

 

It's not retroactive.

 

Gina

[wmunley]

I was told by the LA on my last cruise that those doing the three and four night cruises would not receive the same credits as those doing the longer cruises. I was also told that those booking the higher accommodations and spending more on board would also be rewarded and Betsy made a comment alluding to that in her statement. All of this is good. Those that spend the money should be the ones rewarded.

 

Agree. I used to be a frequent business traveler and hotels award points by dollars spent (room rate, restaurants, shops, etc...). If Royal Caribbean had done this in the past my wife and I (or my parents) would have surely been rewarded nicely for what we spent onboard. I would applaud this move should it be the case.

[Mark_K]

Currently this is being reported in Travel Agent News Letters which we are not allowed to link on Cruise Critic.

 

Just Google O'Rouke specifing the last 24 hours and several references will pop-up. Of course, CC is also reporting this information from O'Rouke.

The prohibition is for web sites of specific travel agencies not general trade news sites.

[dfishner]

First I am glad that you can now combine next cruise credit with the balcony discount I really missed that so am glad they are putting that back. I will take advantage of that when we are on our next cruise in November.

 

Did the announce when the change for the next tier will be made I did not see that in the article? We have two cruises booked in November and will finally become diamond I hope the changes are after that. We will never make diamond plus the old way or the new way so that is not a big deal to us.

[Ocean Boy]

That's the only part I'm not so sure I agree with. I don't know if it's such a good idea to basically allow people to buy into their level. Of course I realize it's a way to maybe make some people spend on the ship. They do limit the amount of credits that can be bought with on board spending though...I think. Isn't it something like $600 a day for 2 extra cruise credits a day?

 

Gina

 

Here is why I do not agree with obtaining credits according to how much you spend on board and this especially applied with the new rules for no price drops after final payment. Say I pay $2000.00 for a cabin catagory. After final payment date there is a drop and someone pays $1000.00 for the same catagory. They then use the saving and spend $300.00 (or what ever number) on board and I spend nothing (which could never happen!). I now get 1 credit for my cabin and they get one credit for their cabin and 1 credit for their spending when I have actually given RCI $700.00 more in overall total.

 

I know that was a lot of words to try to make my point but I hope that it was clear.

[Bobal]

That's essentially how it's done on HAL. You get one "cruise day credit" for every day you sail. Their tier breaks are at 30 days, 75 days, and 200 days. You get double credits for suites, and an extra credit for every $300 you spend while on board.

 

 

Oooh I like the sound of this. We're currently just Diamond members with 2 7-day and 2 12-day cruises, all in a JS. If they use the HAL calculation we would have 38 credits x the factor for being in a JS each time - if it's 1.5 as someone suggested that could give us 57, instead of 10 ;):). On second thoughts though, not so good as that wouldn't even put us on the second tier

[mommabean]

Here is why I do not agree with obtaining credits according to how much you spend on board and this especially applied with the new rules for no price drops after final payment. Say I pay $2000.00 for a cabin catagory. After final payment date there is a drop and someone pays $1000.00 for the same catagory. They then use the saving and spend $300.00 (or what ever number) on board and I spend nothing (which could never happen!). I now get 1 credit for my cabin and they get one credit for their cabin and 1 credit for their spending when I have actually given RCI $700.00 more in overall total.

 

I know that was a lot of words to try to make my point but I hope that it was clear.

It was clear, I get it, and you have a valid point.

 

Gina

[EVALUATOR]

That's essentially how it's done on HAL. You get one "cruise day credit" for every day you sail. Their tier breaks are at 30 days, 75 days, and 200 days. You get double credits for suites, and an extra credit for every $300 you spend while on board.

 

Every system will have ways to "cheat" it.

 

If you got a days credit for $300 spent on board, a "classier" person might take $3000 in nightly cash advances in the casino for a 7 night cruise. They would have a $21,000 sea pass bill.

 

They might pay $630 for the advance fees, but then they would get 77 credits. ( 70for the $ spent +7 for the days) That is more than what others would get for going on ten 7 night cruises.

 

If they did that 3 times, they would have 221 credits for $1890.00, plus the cost of the cruises.

 

How many people would spend $2000 for instant inclusion to the Diamond plus level? (now or in hind sight)

[cruisenfever]

First I am glad that you can now combine next cruise credit with the balcony discount I really missed that so am glad they are putting that back. I will take advantage of that when we are on our next cruise in November.

 

Did the announce when the change for the next tier will be made I did not see that in the article? We have two cruises booked in November and will finally become diamond I hope the changes are after that. We will never make diamond plus the old way or the new way so that is not a big deal to us.

January 2011

[orville99]

Every system will have ways to "cheat" it.

 

If you got a days credit for $300 spent on board, a "classier" person might take $3000 in nightly cash advances in the casino for a 7 night cruise. They would have a $21,000 sea pass bill.

 

They might pay $630 for the advance fees, but then they would get 77 credits. ( 70for the $ spent +7 for the days) That is more than what others would get for going on ten 7 night cruises.

 

If they did that 3 times, they would have 221 credits for $1890.00, plus the cost of the cruises.

 

How many people would spend $2000 for instant inclusion to the Diamond plus level? (now or in hind sight)

 

 

That's not how it works. Using your example, the person would only receive 7 cruise day credits ($300/dayX7 days) and everything above the first $2100 on the card would not count for anything. The maximum number of cruise credit days a cabin could accrue on a 7-night cruise is 14 (21 if it were a suite).

 

BTW, if we're using 7-night cruises as the cruise credit benchmark, then the equuivalent under the new "rumored" system, would be 70 days, not 84, unless the 'rumored" intent is to also push the D level out by two cruises from 10 to 12.

[tinaka]

We agree! We don't have any inside information but what we anticipate is that -

1. Everyone will be grandfathered in their present status. No one will be demoted.

 

2. A new tier called Diamond Royal or Diamond Elite will be created. Probably at what is now 50 cruise points.

 

3. Computation will change from cruises to cruise days. Double points will be given for full suites. Juniors Suites will get 1 1/2 points. Solo cruises paying the full rate will get double points.

 

4. The new criteria will be Platinum 35 points, Diamond 84 points, Diamond Plus 175 points and Diamond Royal 350 points. Looking at this criteria in seven day cruises Platinum would require 5 seven day cruises, Diamond 12, Diamond Plus 25 and Diamond Royal 50.

 

4. All future advancement will be made under the new criteria. Cruisers who gained Diamond status based on 10 three-day cruises, would be grandfathered as Diamonds, but would only have 30 points. A long way from the 175 required for Diamond Plus.

 

Again we don't have any inside information but think this would be fair plan.

 

I agree that this is a fair plan and would be happy with the change, but question how well C&A would be able to calculate past points. My dad & stepmother had troubles getting credited for some of their cruises from the early 80s. They had to provide proof, in the form of onboard pictures from those cruises. If C&A couldn't find their old cruises in the system to give them the per cruise credit, how can they prove how long the cruises were?

[EVALUATOR]

That's not how it works. Using your example, the person would only receive 7 cruise day credits ($300/dayX7 days) and everything above the first $2100 on the card would not count for anything. The maximum number of cruise credit days a cabin could accrue on a 7-night cruise is 14 (21 if it were a suite).

 

O.K. your earlier example said an extra credit for every $300. It did not mention a limit of $2100.00 used for extra credits.

[negc]

Here is why I do not agree with obtaining credits according to how much you spend on board and this especially applied with the new rules for no price drops after final payment. Say I pay $2000.00 for a cabin catagory. After final payment date there is a drop and someone pays $1000.00 for the same catagory. They then use the saving and spend $300.00 (or what ever number) on board and I spend nothing (which could never happen!). I now get 1 credit for my cabin and they get one credit for their cabin and 1 credit for their spending when I have actually given RCI $700.00 more in overall total.

 

I know that was a lot of words to try to make my point but I hope that it was clear.

I think you were quite clear and you have demonstrated what I have said many times: No matter what system is established someone will find that it is not totally fair and some people will find ways to game the system. Will those who get a complimentary upgrade to a junior suite or higher be credited at the higher rate or will it only be applied if you pay for that upgrade? Will the amount I paid for my room get me more credit than my friend who books the same category at a lower price? We have seen occasions when the rate for a junior suite was actually less than for an outside room. How will that be treated?

I think that we are pretty safe no matter what formula is used to place people in the various tiers since we are approaching 60 cruise credits and nearly 300 cruise nights, and since they will grandfather everyone no one's current status will be lowered. Hopefully they will have considered all the possible permutations over the five or so years that they have supposedly been working on this revision and will have good answers for all our questions. Based on their past performance, I'm not willing to bet the ranch that they will.:rolleyes:

[orville99]

O.K. your earlier example said an extra credit for every $300. It did not mention a limit of $2100.00 used for extra credits.

 

 

Sorry about that. I clarified the statement two posts down from the original statement in response to another poster's question about daily caps.

[orville99]

I agree that this is a fair plan and would be happy with the change, but question how well C&A would be able to calculate past points. My dad & stepmother had troubles getting credited for some of their cruises from the early 80s. They had to provide proof, in the form of onboard pictures from those cruises. If C&A couldn't find their old cruises in the system to give them the per cruise credit, how can they prove how long the cruises were?

 

 

Anything would be better than Princess, who simultaneously told me when I signed up for their club that I had taken four cruises with them according to their records (which was correct), but that if I wanted credit for any of them I had to produce my boarding passes or pictures of me on the ship.

[EVALUATOR]

Sorry about that. I clarified the statement two posts down from the original statement in response to another poster's question about daily caps.

 

I understand. There are a lot of different threads about this and it is hard to keep track of them all.

 

With all this discussion on C.C. I wonder if our “super-secret, futuristic Society think tank,” in Goldstein's blog is referring to us in any way.:D

[Latvish]

Switching to days or nights at sea would overload the system and I am sure some people would get lost in the shuffle. We here on CC are just a fraction of the number of people that sail with RCCL.

 

I can still see the cruise credits staying as they are but with a few changes.

 

Everything will be based on 7 night cruises.

JS or above will still receive an extra credit.

 

However the changes I see would be

 

3 night cruise - .5 cruise credit

4 night cruise - .6 cruise credit

5 night cruise - .7 cruise credit

6 night cruise - .9 cruise credit

 

8 night cruise - 1.2 cruise credit

9 night cruise- 1.3 cruise credit

10 night cruise - 1.4 cruise credit

11 night cruise - 1.6 cruise credit

12 night cruise - 1.7 cruise credit

13 night cruise - 1.8 cruise credit

14 night cruise - 2.0 cruise credit

 

And besides seeing that RCCL is a business out to make a profit versus losing money. What they do is in there best interest. Thats what I tell my employees everyday.

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has the right to terminate the Crown & Anchor Society Program ("the Program") or to change the Terms and Conditions of participation and benefits, in whole or in part; at any time without notice. Membership may be terminated at our sole discretion for anyone appearing to be utilizing the Program in a manner inconsistent with its terms, conditions, or intent.

[Host Kewlguy]

If you read between the lines, what this could be saying is that whilst the grandfathering would be at present tier, it does not say that a new top tier would not be introduced. At present people that have achieved 24+ cruise credits to be D+ and those that have done many more cruises ( Super Mario 300 ) are all on the same tier. A new status should be introduced at say 50 cruises, and the family same status as parents structure should be scrapped. Only those that have actually taken the required number of cruises should be credited with them. It is crazy that a baby on its first cruise should be classified as D+ on their first cruise.

Yes Royal should continue to look after the best customers, I could have purchased a nice house with the money I have spent with them. :D

 

There will be another level added between Platinum and Diamond. Called Platinum Plus. I have no information about a level being added higher than Diamond Plus. Just that the credits will be raised to achieve that status.

[finucane]

"Smile, Time to put this rumor to rest - Tier level requirement changes to C&A"

Boy, I am sure glad we did just that!:eek::D:p